It is good for a man not to TOUCH a woman (1 Cor. 7:1)

Alan B. Thomas a_b_thomas at yahoo.com
Tue Jun 18 11:25:19 EDT 2002


Ward:

Concerning this...

> Next, we note that 7:2 (indeed, the whole of 7:2-5)
> completely contradicts 
> 7:1. The first verse of the chapter says in effect,
> "Don't have sex with a 
> GUNH", and 7:2-5 says every man should have his own
> GUNH and has a 
> responsibility to fulfil her sexual nature, and is
> not to neglect this. You 
> can't get more opposite than that.

I find your understanding of this passage lacking in
several respects.

I do see a contradiction here, but only if your
understanding of 7:2-5 is correct. I have not been
following this thread closely, but I think it should
be observed that hAPTW and PUR- are often used with
each other. PUROUSQAI of verse 9 and hAPTESQAI of
verse 1 form an interesting connection for some who
see this passage different than you have argued.

The subject then would be SEX, not marriage. And not
just SEX, but the appropriate boundaries of SEX.
Hence, verse 2 raises the issue of PORNEIA, an issue
relavent to unmarried couples only and their sexual
needs.

PUROUSQAI is used of sexual activity outside of
marriage in verse 9, which is very possibly the same
issue being addressed at 7:1. 

Paul's answer to the question posed to him in 7:1 is
actually answered in vss 2 onward. The question in
verse 1 would be concerned with whether or not sexual
activity is acceptable outside of marriage. Paul, as
you have noted, limits sexual activity to within the
marriage bond. Under this scenario, no contradiction
exists. The question asks if sex is acceptable outside
marriage, to which Paul says, "No. Sexual activity is
only acceptable within marriage."

So, verse 1 through verse 9 is still concerned with
the same FIRE BEING IGNITED "outside" of marriage, and
the avoidance of PORNEIA.

I have not accepted or rejected this position, but I
mention it only to show that one need not see a
contradiction in 7:2 compared to 7:1.

=====
Sincerely,
Alan B. Thomas

Unless God provides indisputable, verifiable evidence 
      of His revelation to mankind,
    it must be rejected at all costs....
  ("I did nothing in secret" Jesus Christ)

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